*Marcy simplified the assembling (and storage) of her tree by just laminating little pictures for each ornament.
I’ve got a mild case of HAD this year — Holiday Affective Disorder, possibly triggered by the marathon month of Halloween (remember the innocent days of a 2-hour Halloween?). I’m tempted to serve chicken nuggets for Thanksgiving and to let my children off the hook for dish chores (for the day) as their “big” Christmas present. There is a Grinch huddled in the left ventricle of my feeble heart.
The other day at dinner I tried to get the fam to tell me what their favorite parts of Christmas are, if they really need stuffing at Thanksgiving, and they were a little vague on the whole thing. Avery wants a punching bag (sounds good for exercise and anger management, right?), Callie wants whatever Avery wants and Lucy wants Barbies (good for grooming, right? Dude, that’s not even funny).
Then Marcy asked me to re-post this thing on the Jesse Tree, and I remembered how much I like it, the symbolism and the stories. It gives meaning and purpose to what otherwise might be a soulless wallowing in evergreen bunting and empty carbs (which I plan to do plenty of). Every night we sing a song, tell a story, read some verses (probably more this year as more kids can read), look at a picture and hang an ornament on our little tree that corresponds to a prophet or episode in the Old, New or Another Testament of Christ or Church history that illuminates the story of Christ’s birth, life and death. And since it replaces our (theoretically) regular scripture study, it’s not just one more thing to do in December.
In the past we’ve let the kids take turns picking an ornament (and therefore a story), but I think this year we’ll have them take turns figuring out which story comes next chronologically, thus making it more adventish-like. There are 25 stories, and, even in my atrophied state, I’m really looking forward to this.
A Mormon Jesse Tree: Witnesses and Types of Christ
(# Story (ornament) Gospel Art Kit/Gospel Art Book picture (scriptures with links) How it’s a type or witness. Song)
1) The Jesse Tree/Witnesses of Christ (book) GAK 326 (Isaiah 11:1-2, Jacob 4:4, 2 Nephi 25:26) All the prophets have known of Christ and had “a hope of him.” Tell me the Stories of Jesus #57
2) Creation/The Council in Heaven (world) GAK 600, 100, 201 (Alma 30: 44, Moses 4:1-2) God created the world for us and promised that He would send a Savior for us. I Lived in Heaven #4
3) Noah (rainbow) GAK 103 (Genesis 9:13, 15) God promised he would never again flood the world, and because He kept that promise, people knew to believe His promise about a Savior. Follow the Prophet, #110, verse 3
4) Abraham & Isaac (bundle of cinnamon sticks) GAK 105 (Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:8, 11-12) Isaac as a type of Christ, Abraham as a loving father willing to sacrifice his much-loved son. Follow the Prophet, #110, verse 4
5) Moses (snake) GAK 123 (John 3:14-15, Helaman 8:14-15) This is one of my favorite symbols — If we would but look to Christ, we will live. Follow the Prophet, #110, verse 5
6) Deborah (scales of justice), picture (Judges 4:4-9) Deborah was a prophetess, judge and warleader. Perhaps as judge and temporal savior of her people she is more a type of the Second Coming of Christ.
Deborah the Prophetess (to Follow the Prophetess)
Deborah the Prophetess judged her people well
As she served the Lord and lived in Israel.
She led them to battle with her friend Barak
They defeated Sisera who never more would mock.
7) Ruth (wheat) GAK 124 (Ruth 1:16, Ruth 4:13-17) Ruth followed her mother-in-law because she was converted to the gospel. She was virtuous and became an ancestress of Jesus. I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ #77
Esther (crown) GAK 125 (Esther 4:14, Esther 7:3) Esther acted as an intercessor for her people, just as Christ is our intercessor.
Esther’s Courage (to Nephi’s Courage)
The Lord commanded Esther to go and wed the king
Haman told Ahaseurus the Jews were rebelling
Esther and Mordecai worked to save their lives
Esther was courageous and she would reply:
9) Isaiah (lamb) GAK 113 (Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 53) Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus (mostly we listen, but maybe we’ll start singing along, and show the kids the flash mob; holy crap that gives me chills)
10) Jonah (whale) GAB 27 (Jonah 1:12-15, Matt 12:39-41) Jonah is in the great fish for three days, much like Christ is in the tomb for three days. Follow the Prophet, #110, verse 7 (Though I’d like to sing Called to Serve or The Army of Helaman too)
11) The Brother of Jared (stone) GAK 318 (Ether 3:8-15) Because of his faith, Mahonri Moriancumr saw that Christ would have a body like his, and learned that Jesus was “prepared before the foundation of the world.” Faith #96 (But my kids love I know He Lives, which turns out to be a really hard song to find by Clive Romney)
12) Lehi & Nephi (liahona) GAK 302 (1 Ne 16:28, Alma 37:45) Another great image — liahona as words of Christ. Nephi’s Courage #120
13) Enos (bow & arrow) GAK 305 (Enos 1:8, 26) Enos bore a powerful witness even without seeing or hearing Jesus. A Child’s Prayer #12
14) King Benjamin (tower) GAK 307 (Mosiah 3:2, 7-8, Mosiah 5:1-2) The people covenant to obey, take upon themselves the name of Christ, and experience a “mighty change.” Give Said the Little Stream #236
15) Alma the Younger (chains) GAK321 (Alma 7:10-13) Christ will loose the bands of death. Did Jesus Really Live Again? #64
16) Abish (feather) Picture (Alma 19:16-17, 29-31) Abish was the Lamanite woman who hoped that seeing King Lamoni and his household prostrate after the teachings of Ammon would convert her people. She also raised the queen and king from their stupor. Army of Helaman #172
17) Samuel the Lamanite (wall) GAK314 (Helaman 14:1-8) When I was a kid, I loved that the “bad guys” were the “good guys” at this time in history. I maybe still do. Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus #36
18) Nephi (star) GAK 200 (3 Nephi 1:8-14) My favorite advent story, and where we always begin our reading on Christmas Eve. Christmas Bells (Lucy’s absolute favorite song) #54
19) John the Baptist (sandal) GAK 207 (Matthew 3:2-3, 11-17) John prepared the way, baptized Jesus and restored the Aaronic priesthood. Baptism #100
20) Mary (heart) GAK 241 (Luke 1:28-33, 38) Mary was pure and loving. (Also, probably patient, kind, and willing to play Sorry! all day long). Picture a Christmas #50
21) Joseph (hammer) GAK 206 (Matthew 1:18-25) Joseph’s interesting as a step-father. When Joseph Went to Bethlehem #38
22) The Shepherds and the Wise Men (candy cane) GAK 202, 203 (Luke 2:15-16, Matthew 2:9-11) The Shepherds and the Wise Men went to find Jesus as quickly as they could, and worshiped Him. I point out to the kids that we might have been among the heavenly chorus singing of His birth. The Nativity Song #52
23) Anna (Bible) Illustrated Video (Luke 2:36-38). Anna lived 84 years as a widow, fasting and praying in the temple. She is called a prophetess. I Know that My Redeemer Lives Hymn #136
24) Mary and Martha (cooking pot) GAK 219, GAB 45 (Luke 10:41-42, John 11:21-27) I love Martha. She was admonished by the Savior to care more about spiritual things, and yet, she is the one who told the Savior He could have saved Lazarus, had He only been there. Families Can Be Together Forever #188
25) Mary Magdalene (spices) GAK 233, GAB 59 (John 20:10-18) Mary was the first person to see the resurrected Lord. He asked her to tell the disciples that He was ascending to His Father. She did. I Know that My Savior Loves Me
26) The Atonement and Resurrection (cross) GAK 227, 239 (Luke 22:41-44, John 11:25) Without the Atonement and Resurrection, Christmas would be meaningless. He Sent His Son #34
27) Moroni (gold plates) GAK 320 (Moroni 10:4-7) The Holy Ghost testifies of Christ and the Book of Mormon. Book of Mormon Stories #118
28) Joseph Smith (temple) GAK 403 (D&C 76:22-24) Joseph Smith sealed his testimony of Jesus with his blood. The Golden Plates #86
29) Mary Whitmer (milking cow) Fourth Witness movie* (February 1989 Ensign) Mary Whitmer was rewarded for facilitating Joseph and Oliver’s translation of the Book of Mormon by an angel who showed her the plates. My Life is a Gift #164
30) Rescuers of the Martin Handcart Company (quilt) GAK 415 (from the Ensign & President Hinckley video.) The young men acted as physical saviors of their people. To Be a Pioneer #218
31) Modern Prophets (tie) GAK 520 (The Living Christ, from the Ensign, President Monson video) I might see if I can find videos of each prophet’s final testimonies on youtube — they are all about Christ. I Love to See the Temple #95 or Follow the Prophet #110 verse 9
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